Columbia firetruck, car involved in morning accident

COLUMBIA — A Columbia firetruck was struck by an oncoming passenger car Thursday morning while responding to a fire alarm at Truman Veterans Hospital, said Capt. Eric Hartman of the Columbia Fire Department.

The firetruck was hit at the intersection of Ashland Road and College Avenue by a 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier driven by Kathryn Lucchesi of Columbia. The truck’s sirens and lights were in operation at the time of the accident, Hartman said.

No one was injured in the accident, and both vehicles suffered minor to moderate damage.

All occupants of the firetruck were wearing seat belts, Hartman said.

On average, accidents involving firetrucks occur “two to three times a year,” Hartman said. However, this accident was particularly unusual because the firetruck was answering an emergency call, which was later ruled a false alarm, Hartman said.